Like fellow Scandinavians Simen Agdestein and Magnus Carlsen, Jón in his youth was hailed as a potential world champion after a string of results. In 1976, while only 15, he finished equal first in an event for players under 21. The same year, he won an Icelandic open tournament with the score of 9.5/11. Just a year later, playing in a telex match for Iceland against England, he drew as Black against Jonathan Mestel, an established master. Also in 1977, at Cagnes-sur-Mer, he won the World Under-17 Championship (ahead of other distinguished young talents, including Garry Kasparov), before becoming Icelandic champion on the first of three occasions (1977, 1982 and 1988). Shortly thereafter, he accepted an invitation to join the Botvinnik chess school. In 1979, FIDE awarded him the title of International Master.
In international competition, he took first at Husavik 1985, Plovdiv 1986 and Helsinki 1986 (shared). In 1986, FIDE awarded him the International Grandmaster title.
Representing his nation's Chess Olympiad team between 1978 and 1994, he helped Iceland to 5th and 6th-place finishes in 1986 and 1992 respectively.
Personal lifeedit
Jón Loftur Árnason has been less active since 1995, in order to concentrate on his other passion, business and finance. He obtained a degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Iceland and embarked on a career that took him to Icelandic firm Oz Communications Inc., where he was appointed Secretary and Treasurer. Perhaps due to his elevated position, the company showed an affinity with chess and in 2000, sponsored the prestigious rapid chess@iceland tournament, won by Kasparov ahead of Anand. Jón took part, but was by then short of top class practice and finished in last place. Since then, he has played chess only in a minor capacity, mainly in local team tournaments.
Notable gamesedit
Viktor Korchnoi vs Jon Loftur Arnason, Reykjavik, CBM 02 1987, English Opening: King's English Variation, General (A20), 0-1
Jon Loftur Arnason vs John Nunn, Novi Sad (ol) 1990, Spanish Game: Closed Variations (C84), 1-0
Jon Loftur Arnason vs Alexey Dreev, Reykjavik op 1990, French Defense: Tarrasch Variation. Modern System (C03), 1-0
Referencesedit
Chess Magazine (August 1978) - page 346, A new Icelandic star.
Olimpbase - Olympiads and other Team event information
External linksedit
Jon Loftur Arnason player profile and games at Chessgames.com
jón, loftur, Árnason, this, icelandic, name, last, name, patronymic, family, name, this, person, referred, given, name, jón, born, november, 1960, icelandic, chess, grandmaster, three, time, icelandic, chess, champion, world, chess, champion, 1977, countryicel. This is an Icelandic name The last name is patronymic not a family name this person is referred to by the given name Jon Jon Loftur Arnason born 13 November 1960 is an Icelandic chess grandmaster He is a three time Icelandic Chess Champion and was World U17 Chess Champion in 1977 Jon Loftur ArnasonCountryIcelandBorn13 November 1960 1960 11 13 age 63 Reykjavik IcelandTitleGrandmaster 1986 FIDE rating2421 May 2024 Peak rating2555 July 1987 Contents 1 Chess career 2 Personal life 3 Notable games 4 References 5 External linksChess career editLike fellow Scandinavians Simen Agdestein and Magnus Carlsen Jon in his youth was hailed as a potential world champion after a string of results In 1976 while only 15 he finished equal first in an event for players under 21 The same year he won an Icelandic open tournament with the score of 9 5 11 Just a year later playing in a telex match for Iceland against England he drew as Black against Jonathan Mestel an established master Also in 1977 at Cagnes sur Mer he won the World Under 17 Championship ahead of other distinguished young talents including Garry Kasparov before becoming Icelandic champion on the first of three occasions 1977 1982 and 1988 Shortly thereafter he accepted an invitation to join the Botvinnik chess school In 1979 FIDE awarded him the title of International Master In international competition he took first at Husavik 1985 Plovdiv 1986 and Helsinki 1986 shared In 1986 FIDE awarded him the International Grandmaster title In individual encounters with some of the world s best players he showed that he was a strong player He defeated world championship contenders and super grandmasters of the calibre of Short Korchnoi Shirov Adams Dreev Vaganian and Larsen He has also drawn former world champions Petrosian Smyslov Tal Karpov and Khalifman Representing his nation s Chess Olympiad team between 1978 and 1994 he helped Iceland to 5th and 6th place finishes in 1986 and 1992 respectively Personal life editJon Loftur Arnason has been less active since 1995 in order to concentrate on his other passion business and finance He obtained a degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Iceland and embarked on a career that took him to Icelandic firm Oz Communications Inc where he was appointed Secretary and Treasurer Perhaps due to his elevated position the company showed an affinity with chess and in 2000 sponsored the prestigious rapid chess iceland tournament won by Kasparov ahead of Anand Jon took part but was by then short of top class practice and finished in last place Since then he has played chess only in a minor capacity mainly in local team tournaments Notable games editViktor Korchnoi vs Jon Loftur Arnason Reykjavik CBM 02 1987 English Opening King s English Variation General A20 0 1 Jon Loftur Arnason vs John Nunn Novi Sad ol 1990 Spanish Game Closed Variations C84 1 0 Jon Loftur Arnason vs Alexey Dreev Reykjavik op 1990 French Defense Tarrasch Variation Modern System C03 1 0References editChess Magazine August 1978 page 346 A new Icelandic star Olimpbase Olympiads and other Team event information Reference to Arnason s business career up to 2002External links editJon Loftur Arnason player profile and games at Chessgames com Jon L Arnason rating card at FIDE nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jon Loftur Arnason amp oldid 1212211928, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
